And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Ver. 46. Breaking bread] Friendly feeding together, and (after their love feasts) celebrating the Lord's Supper every Lord's day at least: whence it was anciently called Panis Hebdomadarius. a That of George Tankerfield, a martyr in Queen Mary's days, was singular and extraordinary. For when the hour drew on that he should suffer, he called for a pint of Malmsey and a loaf, that he might eat and drink that in remembrance of Christ's death and passion, because he could not have it ministered unto him by others, in such manner as Christ commanded. And then he kneeled down, making his confession to the Lord, with all which were in the chamber with him. And after that he had prayed to the Lord, and had read the institution of the holy Supper by the Lord Jesus, out of the evangelists, and out of St Paul, he said: O Lord, thou knowest I do not this to derogate authority from any man, or in contempt of those which are thy ministers; but only because I cannot have it ministered according to thy word. And when he had so spoken, he received it with thanksgiving.
a Moris, erat convesci et convivari et celebrare caenam Dom. Tertul.